Rafael Devers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rafael Devers |
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Devers with the Boston Red Sox in 2024
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| San Francisco Giants – No. 16 | |||
| Designated Hitter / Third Baseman | |||
| Born: October 24, 1996 Sánchez, Dominican Republic |
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| debut | |||
| July 25, 2017, for the Boston Red Sox | |||
| MLB statistics (through July 23, 2025) |
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| Batting average | .278 | ||
| Hits | 1,164 | ||
| Home runs | 219 | ||
| Runs batted in | 711 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
Rafael Devers Calcaño (born October 24, 1996) is a professional baseball player from the Dominican Republic. He plays as a designated hitter and third baseman for the San Francisco Giants in Major League Baseball (MLB). Before joining the Giants, he played for the Boston Red Sox.
Devers started his MLB career in 2017 with the Red Sox. He helped them win the 2018 World Series championship. He has been chosen for the All-Star Game three times and has won the Silver Slugger Award twice. In June 2025, Devers was traded from the Red Sox to the Giants.
Contents
Rafael Devers' Baseball Journey
Starting with the Boston Red Sox (2013–2025)
Playing in the Minor Leagues
The Boston Red Sox signed Rafael Devers when he was just 16 years old on August 9, 2013. He was considered one of the best young players from other countries. Many scouts thought he was the best left-handed hitter available at the time.
Devers began his professional career in May 2014. He played for the Dominican Summer League Red Sox. He quickly showed how good he was, hitting very well. In July, he moved up to a team called the Gulf Coast League Red Sox. He continued to play great, helping his team win their second championship. He was also named to the GCL Postseason All-Stars team.
In 2015, Devers joined the Greenville Drive. He was chosen to play in the South Atlantic League All-Star Game. He also played in the All-Star Futures Game, which features top young players. The Red Sox invited him to their spring training in 2016. He then moved up to the High-A Salem Red Sox. At this time, he was ranked as the Red Sox's second-best young player.
Devers started the 2017 season with the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs. He hit .300 with 18 home runs in 77 games. On July 14, he was promoted to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox. He played very well there, hitting .400 with two home runs in just nine games.
Making His MLB Debut in 2017
On July 24, 2017, Rafael Devers was called up to the Boston Red Sox. Just two days later, he hit his first major league home run. He was the youngest Red Sox player to hit a home run since 1965. On August 13, Devers hit a game-tying home run against the New York Yankees. This home run came off a very fast pitch, one of the fastest ever hit for a home run.
On August 15, Devers helped his team make a rare triple play. This is when three players are out in one play. In 2017, Devers played in 58 games for the Red Sox. He hit .284 with 10 home runs and 30 RBIs.
In the playoffs, Devers continued to shine. He hit a two-run home run in a game against the Houston Astros. This made him the youngest Red Sox player to hit a home run in the postseason. He was also one of only six players in MLB history to hit a playoff home run before turning 21. In another playoff game, he hit an inside-the-park home run. This means he ran around all the bases before the ball was returned.
Winning the World Series in 2018
Devers started the 2018 season as the Red Sox's main third baseman. He hit his first career grand slam on April 18. A grand slam is a home run with the bases loaded, scoring four runs. He hit another grand slam on June 30 against the New York Yankees. He was the youngest player to hit a grand slam in a Red Sox–Yankees game.
Devers had some injuries during the season, but he returned to play. He finished the regular season playing in 121 games. He hit 21 home runs and had 66 RBIs.
He played even better in the postseason. He hit three home runs before his 22nd birthday. In the 2018 American League Championship Series, Devers hit a big home run that helped send the Red Sox to the 2018 World Series. The Red Sox won the World Series in five games against the Los Angeles Dodgers. This was Devers' first championship title.
An Amazing Season in 2019
Devers continued as the Red Sox's third baseman in 2019. In May, he was named the AL Player of the Month. He hit .351 with eight home runs that month. On August 13, Devers had an incredible game, getting six hits. He was the first MLB player since 1900 to get six hits with at least four doubles in one game.
On August 18, Devers was the first MLB player to reach 100 RBIs in 2019. He finished the season with 201 hits and a .311 average. He also had 54 doubles, 32 home runs, and 115 RBIs. He led all major league players in extra-base hits and total bases.
Playing Through 2020 and 2021
In the shortened 2020 season, Devers was still the main third baseman. He played in 57 games, hitting .263 with 11 home runs and 43 RBIs.
In 2021, Devers agreed to a one-year contract with the Red Sox. He was chosen as the starting third baseman for the 2021 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. On September 4, he hit his 33rd home run of the season. This gave him 100 RBIs for the second time in his career. For the season, Devers played in 156 games. He hit .279 with 38 home runs and 113 RBIs.
In the 2021 playoffs, Devers played in 11 games. He hit well as the Red Sox reached the 2021 American League Championship Series. In one playoff game, both Devers and his teammate JD Martinez hit grand slams. This was the first time an MLB team had two grand slams in a playoff game. In November, Devers won his first Silver Slugger Award for third basemen.
More Success in 2022 and 2023
In 2022, Devers signed an $11.2 million contract with the Red Sox. Fans voted him to be a starter in the 2022 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. He had a hamstring injury in July but returned to play. For the season, Devers hit .295 with 27 home runs and 88 RBIs in 141 games. He was also a finalist for the Hank Aaron Award and the Silver Slugger Award.
On January 3, 2023, Devers agreed to a $17.5 million salary for the 2023 season. A week later, he signed a huge 10-year contract extension worth $313.5 million. This contract started in the 2024 season. In 2023, Devers played in 153 games. He hit .271 with 33 home runs and 100 RBIs. In November, he won his second Silver Slugger Award for third base.
His Final Season with the Red Sox in 2024 and 2025
On May 20, 2024, Devers made Red Sox history. He became the first player to hit home runs in six games in a row. On July 6, he got his 1,000th career major league hit. Devers finished the 2024 season hitting .272 with 28 home runs and 83 RBIs in 138 games.
In February 2025, the Red Sox signed another third baseman. Devers was asked to move to designated hitter. He eventually agreed to this change. He had a tough start to the 2025 season, but then improved. In May 2025, he was named the AL Player of the Week. On May 17, Devers hit his first career walk-off home run. This is a home run that ends the game. On June 15, Devers hit his final home run as a Red Sox player. This was also his 500th career extra-base hit.
Joining the San Francisco Giants (2025–present)
On June 15, 2025, the Red Sox traded Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants. He joined the Giants in exchange for several other players. He made his debut with the Giants on June 17, playing as the designated hitter. He got two hits in that game. Devers hit his first home run as a Giant on June 21, against his former team, the Boston Red Sox.
On July 22, 2025, Devers played first baseman for the first time in his career.
Personal Life
Rafael Devers was born on October 24, 1996. His parents are Rafael Devers Sr. and Lucrecia Garcia. His cousin, José Devers, also plays professional baseball.
Rafael was given the nickname "Carita," which means "baby face." He got this nickname because he was always happy and smiling as a child. He even used this nickname on his jersey during Players' Weekend in 2019.
See also
In Spanish: Rafael Devers para niños
